Academy SITREP – Russia Threatens Shipping in the Black Sea

Why it Matters: “Putin’s attacks on Ukrainian grain storage facilities in Odessa along with threatening to attack commercial ships transporting Ukraine’s grain through the Black Sea is yet another failure of his war strategy and diplomacy. He tried to use grain as a weapon earlier in the war and it backfired as he lost support throughout the world. He eventually backed off with a deal. He is now in worse shape and is playing the same card again. Africa is already suffering from drought and food shortages and Putin will alienate some of those countries that are still in his corner or neutral. He is also angry with his perceived friend President Erdogan of Turkey for conceding to allow Sweden into NATO. Erdogan was at the center of brokering the first grain shipment deal. I expect Erdogan to take this opportunity to jump back on the world stage and act as the intermediator. The U.S. needs to leverage Russia’s total war approach to paint Putin as the bad guy and call out Xi Jinping for not speaking out against Putin’s brutal actions.” – General Robert Walsh
“Erdogan may be trying, but I don’t see much success. Russia didn’t get what it hoped for in the grain deal and is likely upset at Erdogan for approving Finland’s and Sweden’s entry into NATO. Turkey was also the first nation to send dual-purpose improved conventional munition (DPICM) rounds to Ukraine and recently stated that they support Ukraine’s entry into NATO.” – General Frank Kearney